BOSTON – The deadly fentanyl trade claimed another alleged player today as Rosario Lara, a 36-year-old Dominican national residing in Lawrence, Massachusetts, was formally indicted on federal charges of distributing the potent opioid. The indictment stems from a deal gone bad – or rather, a deal caught by law enforcement – back in February.
Lara is accused of peddling more than a half-kilogram of fentanyl to a confidential informant within the city of Lawrence on February 21, 2019. He was initially arrested that same day on state charges, but the feds have now upped the ante with a federal indictment on one count of distributing cocaine and more than 400 grams of fentanyl. This isn’t a slap-on-the-wrist case; the weight of the charge speaks to the seriousness of the alleged crime.
If convicted, Lara faces a brutal potential sentence: a mandatory minimum of 10 years behind bars, stretching up to a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. The penalties don’t stop there. He’s also looking at a minimum of 10 years – and potentially a lifetime – of supervised release, alongside a staggering $10 million fine. The message is clear: dealing fentanyl carries severe consequences.
U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Division, jointly announced the indictment today. They were quick to acknowledge the crucial assistance provided by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Lawrence Police Department – a clear indication that this was a coordinated effort to dismantle a dangerous operation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, will be leading the prosecution. He’ll be tasked with proving Lara’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. And, importantly, even with the indictment, Lara is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, a conviction will almost certainly lead to deportation following the completion of his sentence.
The charging documents detail the alleged sale, but these are, as always, simply allegations at this stage. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the federal court system, bringing you the unvarnished truth about the criminals operating within our communities. This case underscores the ongoing opioid crisis and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to stem the flow of deadly drugs onto our streets.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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